PNN24NEWS
High Court Directs Land Survey and Form No.10 Issuance Within 30 Days, Warns Officials of Daily PenaltyKalaburagi:The Kalaburagi Bench of the High Court of Karnataka has strongly pulled up revenue authorities for an inordinate delay of over a decade in conducting land survey and issuing Form No.10, and has directed strict compliance within 30 days, failing which personal penalties will be imposed on the concerned officer.Justice M.G.S. Kamal, while allowing Writ Petition No.203794 of 2025, filed by Syed Osman Pasha of Kalaburagi, directed the Assistant Director of Land Records (ADLR) to immediately conduct the survey and phodi of land bearing Survey No.24/1 situated at Madrasana Halli, Hirapur village, Kalaburagi, and issue Form No.10 as per law.The petitioner had purchased 8 guntas of land in Survey No.24/1 through a registered sale deed dated 25.11.1991. Despite submitting an application for survey and Form No.10 as early as January 2015, and despite repeated representations and directions from superior authorities, the ADLR failed to complete the process.Earlier, a survey was conducted and Form No.10 was issued, but it was later set aside in appeal under Section 49(a) of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964, by the Deputy Director of Land Records, who directed fresh notices to all concerned landholders and a lawful survey. However, even after this clear order, no action was taken, forcing the petitioner to approach the High Court.The Court took serious note of the prolonged harassment faced by the petitioner, observing that the matter had remained unresolved for more than 10 years despite multiple representations—at least 12 between 2021 and 2024 alone. The Court recorded the petitioner’s anguish, noting his question to authorities: “Will this problem be resolved during our lifetime, or should we leave it as a legacy for our children?”Holding the inaction of Respondent No.3 unjustified and unacceptable, the Court issued a mandamus directing completion of the survey, phodi, and issuance of Form No.10 within 30 days from the date of receipt of the certified copy of the order.Importantly, the Court imposed a strict deterrent clause: for every single day of delay beyond the stipulated period, Respondent No.3 will have to personally pay a cost of ₹2,000 per day—₹1,000 to the petitioner and ₹1,000 to the Legal Services Authorities, High Court of Karnataka, Kalaburagi Bench.With these observations, the writ petition was allowed, sending a strong message against administrative lethargy and reinforcing citizens’ right to timely delivery of land record services. Report by imran khan, kalaburagi, karnataka
